Aerial archaeology: Tracing the footsteps of our ancestors from the sky

20. 06. 2025

They observe the landscape from an altitude of around 300 meters. And it’s precisely this vantage point that allows aerial archaeologists to read what occurred on the ground – sometimes thousands of years ago – and to detect hidden structures. All you need is an eye for seemingly minor details, like subtle differences in the color or height of grain crops. We joined Martin Gojda from the Institute of Archaeology of the CAS, Prague, on an expedition from Roudnice nad Labem Airport in June 2024, as part of the event Archeologické léto (Summer of Archaeology). This photo story first appeared in the 1/2025 issue of A / Magazine, published by the Czech Academy of Sciences.

Written and prepared by: Markéta Wernerová, External Relations Division, CAO of the CAS
Translated by: Tereza Novická, External Relations Division, CAO of the CAS
Photo: Jana Plavec, External Relations Division, CAO of the CAS; Martin Gojda, Institute of Archaeology of the CAS, Prague

The text and photos are released for use under the Creative Commons license.

Roudnice nad Labem Airport in the Czech Republic. This was the departure point for public flights held during Archeologické léto (Summer of Archaeology) 2024. The weather was kind to participants, and visibility was excellent.

Visitors had the opportunity to fly out with the founding figure of Czech aerial archaeology, Martin Gojda from the Institute of Archaeology of the CAS, Prague. He has logged more than a thousand flight hours.

Passengers flew in a four-seat Cessna 172SP.

Alongside a pilot and a plane, a “skybound” archaeologist needs other gear, too. In the pre-digital era, this meant three cameras (color and black-and-white negatives, and color reversal film). Today, a single digital camera is enough. The researcher also uses a video camera with the best possible stabilization and a handheld global positioning system (GPS) unit.

Aerial archaeology has been used in the Czech Republic for roughly thirty years. One of its major advantages is that it doesn’t disturb the ground – so there’s no damage to the examined site. It’s a non-invasive method.

Findings from aerial archaeology not only significantly enrich the database of archaeological sites, but also help protect them. Once we know where a site is located within the region, we can take steps to preserve it for the future.

Aerial surveys help uncover “invisible” ancient rural settlements, fortified sites, burial grounds, defunct cult or ceremonial sites, and other features.

From the air, passengers caught sight of several long-vanished field fortifications that were once part of a defensive line built in the summer of 1813 against the threat of an invasion by Napoleon’s army.

Thanks to the relatively dry spring weather, the outlines of these features stood out clearly – visible as differences in height and color in the ripening crops.

The sites are located near the villages of Budyně nad Ohří, Poplze, and Písty, within sight of the legendary Mount Říp.

During the flight, participants also had a chance to view the rotunda of St. George atop Mount Říp where, according to a legend from the early 12th century, the first Slavs settled.

Buried archaeological features are most often revealed thanks to vegetation. They become visible primarily during the growth and ripening stages of agricultural crops. Grain growing over hidden structures tends to differ in color and is taller.

“That’s why the ideal time is between May and the end of July, when spring grain is being harvested. The type of crop planted is important, too. Cereals work best – especially barley – but we’ve also found sites revealed by sunflowers, corn, rapeseed, or alfalfa,” Martin Gojda explains.

The memory of the land became clearly visible at a prehistoric settlement near the village of Ctiněves, where several floorplans of sunken dwellings – so-called pit-houses – could be seen, along with a number of storage or refuse pits and a double, curved ditch that likely marked out part of the village some two thousand years ago.

The year 2025 marks the sixth annual Archeologické léto (Summer of Archaeology), a public outreach program co-organized by two institutes of the Czech Academy of Sciences – the Institute of Archaeology in Prague and its counterpart in Brno. The full calendar of events for this year’s edition is available online. Most events are free, but early registration is required.

The Czech Academy of Sciences (the CAS)

The mission of the CAS

The primary mission of the CAS is to conduct research in a broad spectrum of natural, technical and social sciences as well as humanities. This research aims to advance progress of scientific knowledge at the international level, considering, however, the specific needs of the Czech society and the national culture.

President of the CAS

Prof. Radomír Pánek started his first term of office in March 2025. He is a prominent Czech scientist specializing in plasma physics and nuclear fusion.

Aerial archaeology: Tracing the footsteps of our ancestors from the sky

Roudnice nad Labem Airport in the Czech Republic. This was the departure point for public flights held during Archeologické léto (Summer of Archaeology) 2024. The weather was kind to participants, and visibility was excellent.

Visitors had the opportunity to fly out with the founding figure of Czech aerial archaeology, Martin Gojda from the Institute of Archaeology of the CAS, Prague. He has logged more than a thousand flight hours.

Passengers flew in a four-seat Cessna 172SP.

Aerial archaeology has been used in the Czech Republic for roughly thirty years. One of its major advantages is that it doesn’t disturb the ground – so there’s no damage to the examined site. It’s a non-invasive method.

Findings from aerial archaeology not only significantly enrich the database of archaeological sites, but also help protect them. Once we know where a site is located within the region, we can take steps to preserve it for the future.

Aerial surveys help uncover “invisible” ancient rural settlements, fortified sites, burial grounds, defunct cult or ceremonial sites, and other features.

From the air, passengers caught sight of several long-vanished field fortifications that were once part of a defensive line built in the summer of 1813 against the threat of an invasion by Napoleon’s army.

Thanks to the relatively dry spring weather, the outlines of these features stood out clearly – visible as differences in height and color in the ripening crops.

The sites are located near the villages of Budyně nad Ohří, Poplze, and Písty, within sight of the legendary Mount Říp.

During the flight, participants also had a chance to view the rotunda of St. George atop Mount Říp where, according to a legend from the early 12th century, the first Slavs settled.

Buried archaeological features are most often revealed thanks to vegetation. They become visible primarily during the growth and ripening stages of agricultural crops. Grain growing over hidden structures tends to differ in color and is taller.

“That’s why the ideal time is between May and the end of July, when spring grain is being harvested. The type of crop planted is important, too. Cereals work best – especially barley – but we’ve also found sites revealed by sunflowers, corn, rapeseed, or alfalfa,” Martin Gojda explains.

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The Czech Academy of Sciences (the CAS)